Scan barcode
galleytrot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
READ: Jan 2023
FORMAT: Audio
FORMAT: Audio
BRIEF SUMMARY:
In this contemporary action/romance set in Atlanta, we follow Ex and Meridian, and we revisit God. God’s got a new problem – his department is getting the arrests, but convictions that ought to be clear-cut are dropping like flies. Ex and Meridian are two of the government’s best kept secrets – experimental weapons stripped of their emotions and humanity in order to get the job done, no matter what. When Ex’s brother is shot and killed as a bystander in Atlanta, he and Meridian take it upon themselves to ensure justice is served at any cost.
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4 / 5⭐
This one left me with a pit of emotion in my stomach, in no small part thanks to the bonus chapters. I’m surprised to say that my empathy center didn’t completely light up for Ex and the whole situation he found himself in. The more interesting story being told this time around wasn’t anything to do with our romantic pairing, and I’ll get to why that’s surprising to me in the next section.
It’s certainly interesting to explore the relationship between two theoretical emotionless killing machines who find their purpose and their motivation in one another. They are a unit; they operate on the same wavelength; they are so completely in tune with one another that a world doesn’t exist where one doesn’t know where the other is at any given moment. It only makes sense that any lingering emotion that hasn’t been completely bleached out of them would be hyper focused on their bond. But that’s also what made their match up a bit more boring. There’s no danger to them in connecting, or rather the danger is a complete non-issue for the specific events in this book. Conflict of interest happens in a single scene that has no impact on how their plan plays out.
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 3.75 / 5⭐
So based on this story’s synopsis, I was all excited, thinking we were finally getting some distance from Day and God’s department. I figured this book was going to be more standalone, the way I typically prefer. More the fool, me!
Not only is God our third perspective, meaning we run into almost every single character from our past Nothing Special books – but a whole cast from Via’s Bounty Hunters series also wind up making cameos. Only one or two of these bounty hunters are actually “necessary” to this plot, and only as an exposition dump. They serve no other function beyond fanservice. Buuuut, silver linings and all, my Best Boy Michaels finally shows up for the first time since “Don’t Judge,” and I’m glad to see him alive and well (if not also effectively useless)!
Not only is God our third perspective, meaning we run into almost every single character from our past Nothing Special books – but a whole cast from Via’s Bounty Hunters series also wind up making cameos. Only one or two of these bounty hunters are actually “necessary” to this plot, and only as an exposition dump. They serve no other function beyond fanservice. Buuuut, silver linings and all, my Best Boy Michaels finally shows up for the first time since “Don’t Judge,” and I’m glad to see him alive and well (if not also effectively useless)!
Personal gripes aside, I’m grateful Via gave us two brand new characters to explore, and wrapped their stories up in a neat little package start to finish. They come, they do what needs to be done, they accept they are more than just partners, they leave. Signed, sealed, delivered. Aiden Snow once again gets no complaints from me for his performance. Top notch, would listen to him again and again.
FINAL THOUGHTS - OVERALL: 4 / 5⭐
I may be a grump about old stories blending into new ones, but that doesn’t mean you are. If you’re here for more Atlanta PD Oops All Gay Goodness, then you will not be disappointed. I’m actually pleasantly satisfied by all the APD stuff in this one (which is exactly the opposite of what I was expecting)!
This book has representation for gay and bi sexualities. Sadly, women are back to mostly just being sex objects. A couple of characters are described as not being white.
This book has representation for gay and bi sexualities. Sadly, women are back to mostly just being sex objects. A couple of characters are described as not being white.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Alcohol, Cursing, Police brutality, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Child abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Drug use
More...